Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (2024)

By Stacy Williams

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If you’re tired of using deodorant that is full of toxins, this homemade deodorant recipe is just what you need. This all-natural DIY aluminum free deodorant recipe works amazingly, smells great and comes together in just a few minutes.

Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (1)

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Deodorant is one of those things that no one should be without. After all, no one wants to be the girl (or guy) no one wants to be around because of smelly pits, right? For me, deodorants are something I’m quite picky about.

I don’t like store bought deodorant because I hate not knowing exactly what I’m putting on my body so when we started going greener and living more simply a few years back, I moved to learning how to make this homemade deodorant instead.

fact, this lavender scented homemade deodorant was the very first thing I made homemade when I started working on this list of things to make homemade to save money back in 2015 and I’m still making it today!

How to Make A Homemade Deodorant Recipe with Aluminum

I’ve tried a lot of homemade deodorant recipes over the last few years, but none of them were able to handle what a Texas summer can throw at it.

It ain’t pretty when the heat index outside is 112° F and you’re sitting on the side of a lake and your deodorant fails.

This homemade deodorant recipe though works incredibly well in those kinds of heats while being gentle at the same time. In fact, it’s gentle enough that both of my girls wear it as well.

That was exactly what I was looking for when I began making it; a homemade deodorant that would hold up under even the hottest Texas sun, but gentle enough not to irritate my skin.

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What Ingredients Are in DIY Deodorant?

Part of the reason this lavender scented homemade deodorant works so well is because the ingredients are perfect to make a homemade deodorant with.

Beeswax is known for its skin softening qualities and in this recipe; also holds things together to form a sort of “gel.” The shea butter and coconut oilnot only help moisturize dry skin, but combined they also help your homemade deodorant to glide or spread easily.

Corn starch and baking soda not only help to get rid of any odor, but they also help to absorb moisture from sweat.

Is there aluminum in baking soda?

I am not sure where this rumor began, but there is no aluminum in baking soda. Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate does not contain aluminum at all.

If you are interested, this site explains it better and in a bit more detail.

In any case, this particular homemade deodorant recipe is an aluminum free deodorant so those who are sensitive or try to avoid it can rest easy when using it.

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What essential oils are in homemade deodorant?

As this deodorant is an all natural deodorant, it does contain essential oils. These oils help to boost the power of the deodorant and add their own benefits to the mixture.

Tea tree essential oil is antimicrobial so it makes sense to use it in a homemade deodorant. Odor is caused by bacteria on the skin so using an antimicrobial product can help to kill bacteria that help create odor.

Lavender essential oilis antibacterial as well which gives your tea tree oil a bit of a boost and also helps your finished product smell fresh, clean and soft. The two essential oils together create a very powerful combo for your homemade deodorant recipe.

Vitamin E Oil is used not only for its skin softening properties – seriously, try my homemade dry skin lotion recipe (Six Dollar Family) that uses it as a main ingredient! – , but also because it has a preservative effect on homemade beauty recipes. This preservative effect helps to give not just this homemade deodorant recipe, but all your DIY beauty products a longer shelf life if they are properly stored.

What Other Scents Can I Make This Deodorant With?

The batch in this post was done with a lavender scent, but you do not have to use lavender. If you’re not fond of the scent of lavender, feel free to experiment with other essential oils for scent.

For women, rose essential oil, geranium essential oilor or even peppermint essential oilare all fantastic options.

I also especially like using the Clean and Fresh essential oil blend from Simply Earth.

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You will need:

Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (5)

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Homemade Deodorant Recipe

If you're tired of using deodorant that is full of toxins, this homemade deodorant recipe is just what you need. This all-natural DIY aluminum free deodorant recipe works amazingly, smells great and comes together in just a few minutes.

Course DIY Beauty

Cuisine Essential Oil Recipes

Keyword Beauty, Lavender Oil

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 25 minutes minutes

Servings 1 container

Author Stacy Williams

Cost $1.00

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add the coconut oil, beeswax pellets, and shea butter into a medium saucepan and melt it slowly over low heat stirring often.

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  • After the mixture has melted, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the baking soda and corn starch using a wire whisk

    Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (7)

  • Allow the mixture to cool slightly, but no so long it thickens too much. Add the essential oils and stir to combine. Pour into empty deodorant containers and allow it to sit for 8 hours or until it is fully hardened.

    Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (8)

Notes

  • The beeswax pellets will melt slower than the other ingredients. Be sure to watch the mixture carefully and stir often so it does not burn.
  • As with any recipe containing cornstarch, it will thicken as it begins to cool. While you do need to allow it to cool before adding the essential oils, do not allow it to cool enough to thicken. Doing so will make pouring impossible.
  • For best results, use within 90 days and store in the fridge for long lasting shelf life. Bring to room temperature before using, however, please note that coconut oil begins to melt at around 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
Homemade Deodorant Recipe {Aluminum Free} (2024)

FAQs

How to make aluminum free deodorant? ›

Instructions:
  1. Mix baking soda and arrowroot.
  2. Mash in coconut oil until blended. Add essential oils, if desired.
  3. Place the mixture in an empty glass jar.
  4. To use, just warm a small amount between your fingers until it turns into liquid. Apply to your armpits.

Is homemade deodorant effective? ›

"Some of the enthusiasm for natural deodorants seems to be driven by fears and myths that have been repeatedly debunked,” says Nabeeha Siddiqui, MD, a Cedars-Sinai primary care physician in Culver City. "You won't find any solid scientific or medical evidence showing these deodorants are better for you.”

Why doesn t aluminum free deodorant work for me? ›

Your body is too used to relying on the aluminium “plugs” in your sweat glands to stop it from sweating. It has forgotten how to do it properly which makes it hard for natural deodorants to work effectively. Your body needs some time to get back into the swing of things. Think of it as a detox period.

Why do my armpits still smell with aluminum-free deodorant? ›

It is the bacteria that grows on the sweat that causes this odor – sounds gross right? Therefore, when you remove aluminum, your body will release what has been blocked which causes this brief time period of body odor. It's known as a detox when switching to a natural deodorant.

What happens when you stop using aluminum deodorant? ›

Your body odor is probably going to smell different, and potentially stronger, than what you're used to. That's because your body is simultaneously purging its sweat glands and recalibrating the balance of microscopic organisms that live on your skin. It's establishing a new normal.

What is the healthiest deodorant to use? ›

Below, we list top-rated and Select staff-favorite natural deodorants that are in line with our experts' guidance.
  • Native ​​Regular Deodorant.
  • Necessaire The Deodorant Gel.
  • Schmidt's Deodorant Stick.
  • Salt & Stone Natural Deodorant.
  • Soapwalla Deodorant Cream.
  • Evolvetogether Natural Deodorant.
  • Kosas Chemistry Deodorant.
May 10, 2023

What happens to your body when you switch to natural deodorant? ›

This process is natural, but can cause a bit of odor and excessive sweating while your body works overtime to detox. Even though this is a natural and expected process, adjusting to a natural and aluminum-free deodorant can be rough. Thankfully, it won't last forever – your body just needs time to regulate itself.

Why do I sweat more with aluminum-free deodorant? ›

While natural deodorants may contain ingredients designed to absorb sweat, only aluminum is effective is preventing it. Expect to be sweatier than you would be with an aluminum-based product. Moreover, some people report being especially sweaty (and smelly) for a week or so while their body adjusts to the switch.

How do you not smell when using aluminum-free deodorant? ›

Here are some helpful tips from our team to get through the adjustment period and reduce underarm sweat and odor:
  1. Choose a cooler, less humid time of year. ...
  2. Keep it clean. ...
  3. Exfoliate. ...
  4. Wear natural fibers. ...
  5. Drink water. ...
  6. Apply more than once. ...
  7. Give it time.

How long does it take for your body to adjust to aluminum-free deodorant? ›

Stay hydrated during the adjustment period. Drinking enough water is important, especially since you may be sweating more in the first few weeks. Be patient! Give it at least a month to ensure your body has had enough time to adjust.

How do I change my deodorant from regular to aluminum free? ›

And here's what they had to say:
  1. Wear breathable fabrics until your body adjusts. ...
  2. Apply more often in the first 2-4 weeks. ...
  3. Use a good antibacterial soap in the shower to help with the odor causing bacteria. ...
  4. Take hot baths or spend some time running hot water on your underarms in the shower to help open your pores.

What ingredients are in aluminum-free deodorant? ›

Aluminum-free options, particularly natural formulas, contain ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil, natural fragrance, essential oils, and magnesium hydroxide to control odor.

Does Old Spice make aluminum-free deodorant? ›

All of Old Spice's deodorants are free of aluminum. So, choose the scent you like and apply it daily to become a legend of confidence.

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